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By Cam Lee

Ag roundup

Agriculture Roundup for Wednesday, July 31

Jul 31, 2024 | 9:32 AM

The province is mourning the loss of former SaskParty MLA and Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart, who passed away at the age of 73.

Stewart had been battling cancer.

The former Thunder Creek and Lumsden Morse MLA took office in 1999 and retired last year.

Former Premier Brad Wall says Stewart led the crop insurance expansion and was one of the most consequential agriculture ministers in the province’s history.

Current Premier Scott Moe says Stewart’s leadership came from his quiet strength and dedication.

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The SaskWheat Market Outlook states that adequate cropland moisture conditions in the province dropped from 77 per cent two weeks ago to 50 per cent last week, due to the hot and dry conditions that are also affecting crops in Alberta and Manitoba.

Michael Wilton with Mercantile Consulting Venture says the condition of the wheat crop fell by 14 points over the past two weeks across Saskatchewan, to 76 per cent good to excellent.

However, it’s still better than last year’s 34 per cent good to excellent rating, and at a similar level to 2022.

The Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada July Outlook for Principal Field Crops raised the average yield of non-durum crop by 1.1 bushels per acre to 53.6 bushels per acre.

This has also raised production estimates by 190,000 tonnes for a total of 29.1 million tonnes.

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There is a potential for improvement in wheat prices in the coming months.

This comes as Russia’s crop is predicted to be smaller due to drought, while France’s crop quality is being affected by rain.

Meanwhile, a well-known agricultural consultant is predicting some good things ahead for Saskatchewan’s wheat crop.

CEO of AgvisorPRO Rob Saik has spent the past couple of weeks in the province meeting with clients.

Saik posted on social media that we could see a record wheat crop in Saskatchewan.

He expects durum to be average, and he’s not as bullish on the canola crop which suffered some heat blasting during flowering.

He believes it will be a struggle to reach the long-term provincial average canola yield.